ISLAMABAD: In order to ascertain the low success rate in competitive examinations, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has instructed the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to undertake an in-depth analysis of the reasons behind the declining success rate for the past three years.
Sources told this scribe that PM Abbasi has given the task to FPSC to give a comprehensive report on low success rate in the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam.
One official of FPSC, on the condition of anonymity, told that FPSC has started work on this matter. The department will soon give the report to PM while taking input from Establishment Division and Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform.
Every year, FPSC issued an examination report having each subject recommendations. The officer further added that the high ups “instructed us to prepare report keeping in view all aspects that are beneficial for aspirant candidates.
FPSC will also make a comparative analysis of the recruitment process with other developing countries, the officer stated.
It is necessary to mention here that the CSS examination report 2016 had presented a grim picture of candidates, as observers have suggested communicating institutions of higher education to take required academic measures to enhance English language proficiency of the graduates.
Most of the candidates like to criticise and give pessimistic views, which is not a healthy trend, the report says, further mentioning that the standard of the scripts was dismal and highly unsatisfactory.
The passing rate of the CSS exams has been declining for the past few years. In 2014, 24,640 candidates applied for the written test against 315 vacancies. Of them, only 233 managed to clear all tests. In 2015, a total of 12,176 sat the CSS written test, but only 439 passed, while only 377 qualified for the interview. Similarly, in 2016, a total of 9,643 sat the CSS written test, but only 193 recommended for appointment.
Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal, a few days back had also given the presentation to PM on civil services reform. The minister stated that there is a dire need for reorganisation of the federal government after 18th Amendment, as many matters have been transferred to provinces.
The federal minister also talked about the need to review the incentive structure for the bureaucracy, which is the important impediment to getting a quality human resource in the civil services.
The PM directed ED to review the need for reducing the number of occupational groups as part of federal civil services in view of the reduced domain of federal government after the 18th Amendment.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Planning, Development and Reform Secretary Shoaib Siddiqui stated that FPSC will do an in-depth analysis of CSS result, and give the report to PM.
“We will also give our input in that report, in order to produce more professional and capable civil servants, who [will be able to] brace the modern day challenges,” he added.